United States: D-3 of the nomination, Harrisburg prepares for a coup by pro-Trump
Audio 01:14
Donald Trump supporters around the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 14.
AFP - Michael M. Santiago
Text by: RFI Follow
6 min
D-3 before the inauguration of Joe Biden.
All American states are on alert this Sunday, January 17.
According to FBI information, supporters of Donald Trump - but also far-right groups - could organize armed demonstrations around places of power across the country to protest what they still see as a "stolen election" .
Publicity
Read more
From our special envoys,
Stefanie Schüler
and
Bertrand Haeckler
The tension is especially great in the key states where Joe Biden's victory came close.
Like Pennsylvania.
In Harrisburg, the capital, residents have bad memories of the latest Trumpist protests and worry about the days to come.
►Also read: United States: Washington under siege six days before Joe Biden's inauguration
This Saturday, January 16, in the afternoon an Olympian calm reigns however in the small streets of Harrisburg.
Marc lives close to the capitol.
The thousands of Trumpists who, according to some sources, could surge this Sunday in his city, armed in addition, do not scare him.
“
I feel safe.
I know the mayor took steps to have Harrisburg protected by Capitol Police, City Police, and State Police.
So, I think the city is safe.
Obviously, I will be careful and be on my guard.
But I'm not afraid of what might happen in the days to come,
”he says.
Closed stores
Only a young woman sits on the still deserted steps of the Capitol, a
Black Lives Matter
sign
in her arms. "
Trump supporters show up at each of their demonstrations with their weapons.
I am not questioning their constitutional right to bear arms.
But they shouldn't need it for a supposedly peaceful demonstration.
Yet each time they come armed.
And it's scary.
Mainly because they threaten us directly.
They point their guns in our faces,
”she said.
John Jackson Austin is a hairdresser.
Her small living room is a short walk from the Harrisburg Capitol Steps.
“
During the last demonstrations, they yelled racial abuse,” he
notes
.
There was a lot of hate.
We were called all names because I had a poster supporting Biden and Harris in my window.
I had to take it away.
I couldn't take this pressure.
It was terrible.
So they tried to keep us away.
But it's complicated.
Look: we are right in front of the capitol.
"
How is he preparing for the demonstration this Sunday?
“
We're closing.
We close from Sunday to Wednesday inclusive.
I don't want to put my clients or my employees at risk.
»Is he going to barricade his window?
"
No.
On the other hand, I installed a surveillance camera right in front of my window.
So I can follow what's going on.
And in case of destruction, I will have a recording that I can transfer to the police.
With facial recognition, she will find the culprit.
Our capital is so beautiful.
I hope she will come out of it unscathed
”.
Conjectures
In anticipation and fear of possible violence, the inhabitants are lost in economic situations.
This young woman does not think that supporters of Donald Trump will arrive this Sunday.
“
I
think they'll wait until inauguration day,
” she said.
Because nobody expects it.
Okay, we see the security measures that will be in place from this Sunday, but also Monday and Tuesday.
But I'm sure they'll give it a shot on nomination day.
Harrisburg is small and yet one of the most important capitals in the United States because we are a key electoral state.
So almost everything that happens in Washington DC is happening here as well.
We are very close.
"
►Also read
: The assault on the Capitol, a striking manifestation of the fragility of American democracy
But unlike Washington, the people of Harrisburg live and work right next to the Capitol.
Is it a security issue?
“
Over there, you see, people work, and all these buildings are housing.
This is insane!
Indeed, in Washington, the capitol is separated from the residential districts.
Here, the Capitol is right in the middle of Harrisburg.
When something happens, it does not only concern the capitol but each inhabitant
”, continues this resident.
This Sunday, the main roads leading to the capital of Pennsylvania will be closed by law enforcement.
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United States
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